Typewriter keyboard



Sept. 7 i932@ TYPEWRITER KEYBOARD Filed March l5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sh'eet 1 l. (SALE Sept., 'i @92%,

TYPEWRITER KEYBOARD Filed March 15, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept.V '7, 1926.

swear I. Genn, or nnsnnon're, ostras-ro, CANADA.

TYPEWRITEB KEYBGARD.

Application 'filed Marcil 15, w24.

This invention has relation to certain new and useiul improvements in a typewriter key board and has for its primary object the provision ot an auxiliary key board which may be readily incorporated in a standard typewriter when building the same or adced thereto after completion of the regular or standard typewriter, with the keys ot the auxiliary key board substantially corresponding to the keys ot a piano, so that anyone used to playing the piano may readily attain speed and accuracy in operating the typewriter.

The invention has for another object the provision of a key board tor ay typewriter with the keys arranged similar to a section et the piano key board, thereby placing all of the keys in two horizontal planes instead et three or `more horizontal planes or banks, as in the present typewriter| key boards.

rlhe invention has for another object the provision of a typewriter key board oit' the character stated in which the keys ot the new key board structure will be arranged in a simple and compact manner, so that all of the lingers may be employed in a natural manner, without the necessity of raising and lowering the entire hand to reach upper banks et keys, thereby giving' an eas, `free rapid and accurate use et the fingers with a uniform pressure on all ot the keys while typing. the keys which are required tor more frequent use being' arranged in the centre et the new key board, where they are always directly beneath the first and second iinn'ers and the thumbs.

rlie invention has tor a turther object he provision of a typewriter having; a key board o the character stated a a line spacing; and carriage retoruling;Y bar extending; across the iront oli the keys and operable by the thumbs witaout the necessity ot raising; the hands from the key board.

it.. still further object et the invention vesid s in the provision ol typewriter hav- ...fr a tlat keyboard with the keys ont olonated term and similar to the keys of a Diano boarl. and connected with the .espec-tive type bar operatingv levers carry- 'g ular the usual 'form ot keys on the reg) or ordinary key board, tion ai i o tion oit the the accoinpanyire Serial No. 699,530;

tered, with the exception that the former shift keys are replaced by a shifting` mechanism controlled by the ieet or knees of the operator. y

A sti-ll further object ot the invention resides in the provision of a typewriter of the character stated in which the keys of the new key board are all parallel and separated about the same distance apart as the piano key board and all of the parts of simple construction and compact arrangement, so as to assure the highest efficiency and speed et operation, without requiring prolonged training,Y and practice oi the operator.

Nith the foregoing and other objects in view, as will appeal' as the description proceec s, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement ot cri-operating elements as lun'einatter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in im drawings, forming; apart ot the present application, and in which- Fig. l is a plan et the improved typevwriter with the new key board incorporated therein.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation ot the typewriter disclosed in Fig. l.

Figgz is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation oit the upper portion of the typewriter, showing part et the automatic line soacinp; and carriage returning mechanism.

Fi 4 is an enlarged vertical section, substantially on the plane of line 4 4- of l, lookingT in tbe direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig'. 5 is a vertical detail section at right angles to Fig. and taken substantially on the plane of line 5-5 ot Fig. Ll, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. G is a detail perspective of a portion et a new key board, showing,v the keys separated `lor the sake voit clearness.

Fig. T is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing other ,keys ot the key board enlarged and in sc'iarated position, 'for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective et one et the keys of the new key board to disclose clearly the construction thereof.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail elevation et part et the improved carriage shift mechanism to be co r trolled by the toot e knee ot. the operators Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, it will be noted that the key board frame 10 is provided beneath the main frame 11 of the typewriter and has its reduced lower portion extended forwardly past the lower reduced forward portion 11a of the main frame 11 and which reduced forward portion 11a serves as the frame for the usual or ordinary key board 12 as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The extended reduced lower portion 1()a of the frame 10 forms side members for protecting the elongated flat keys 18 and 14 of the improved flat key board. The keys 13V are similar to the white keys of the piano key board, while the keys 14 correspond substantially to the black keys of the piano key board. The keys 13 and 14 areconnected respectively by the separate connecting members 15,Y to the type bar operating. levers 16 of the corresponding keys 17 of the key board 12. This may be readily understood by referring to Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the keys 13 and 14 of theimproved key board includes a shank 18 with a bifurcatedr rear end 19 having transverse concave recesses or pockets 2O in the inner face, so that the shank 18 -may be readily mounted on a supporting rod 2l extended transversely in the lower rear portion of the frame 10. It will be noted by referring to Fig. 4, that two rods 21 are employed and the shanks 18 of most of the white or lower keys 13 are mounted on the lower rod 21 and the Shanks 18 of the upper or black keys 14 are mounted on the upper rod 21. It will also lbe seenfrom Figs. 2, k4 and 8 that each key shank 18 has a binding screw 22 secured therein for drawing together the bifurcated or separated portions of the rear end thereof and holding the shank 18 in proper position on the rod 21 on which it is mounted for operation. It will, therefore, be seen that when a key 13 or 14 is depressed, the proper type bar operating lever 16 will be operated, the same as -if the key 17, mounted thereon, had been depressed in the usual manner. The connecting members 15 are preferably flexible, as indicated in the drawings, so that if the operator desires to use the ordinary or upper board 12, the operation of the keys 17 thereof will not affect the keys of the improved Vor'latlower key board. This may be readily apparent by referring to Figs. 4 and 5.

Extended transversely through the frame 1.0 are a pair of spaced horizontal transverse rods 23, which are arranged above one another and across the shanks 18 of the lower and upper keys for the improved flat key board, as shown clearly in Fig. 4. Upstanding spaced plates 24 are carried on the rods 23 which are positioned between the shanks 18 to separate the same and prevent side movement thereof toward one another. The plates 24 are located intermediate the ends of the shanks 18 and mounted, by turned' lower ends 26, on the bottoni plate 27 of the frame 10. This may be seen clearly in Figs..4 and 7. It will be seen that the plates 24 and 25 co-operate to retain the shanks 18 in properly spaced and parallel position throughout their entii'e length. The differentkeys of the improved flat key board are shaped to correspond with the white and black keys of a section ofa piano key board, as will be clearly seen from Figs. 1, 6 and 7 the keys representing about one and one-quarter octaves, as will be readily seen by referring to Fig. 1. The respective keys 13 and 14 of the flat key board are connected with the type bar operating lever 16 of the correspondingkeys 17 of the upper key board 12. board is necessarily of a special shape and, therefore, will'be described in detail, beginning from the left side of the key board. The first key is Hat and corresponds in shape to the key known as C on a piano key board. This key is connected with the type bar operating lever 16, operating the type bar' carrying the two and the The next key is a black key andraised above the white keys, corresponding with the key known as C sharp on the piano key board. This key operates the type bar operating lever 16 controlling the type bar carrying the letters y, Y and the numeral The next key is a white key corresponding with D on the piano key board. This key controls a type bar carrying the letters v, V and The next key is a black key corresponding to D sharp on the piano key board and controlling the type bar carrying The keys thus far described are carried on the upper shanks 18.

The next key corresponds with E on the piano key board,'withv the exception that it is cut transversely in two sections. The main section controls the type bar carrying 111, M and This main portion of the key is mounted'on an upstanding angular plate 18 carried by one of the lower shanks The other section of the key is short and located inwardly thereof and mounted on an upper shank 18. i This small or short section controls the type bar carrying l L and Y i The next key corresponds with F on the piano key board except that it is divided into a main or central section and inner and outer sections. The main or eenw tral section controls the type bar carrying d, D and Aand is mounted on an upstanding block 18?L at the outer end of one of the lower shanks 18.-

The outer section controls the type bar carrying f, F and and is mounted on an upstanding block 18 carried by an- Each key of the flat key other lower shank 18. Theinner section of this keywcontrols. e type bar carrying j, J and end 1s mounted on an upper shank 18.

The nez-t key cerrespondinp,v to F sharp on the pieno key boord is ableck key and divided transversely into two sections. The outer section controls the type bnr carrying i, l and 8 end is mounted on an upstniiding` block 18 carried by one oit the lower shrinks ltl. The inner section controls the type ler carrying q, Q and I and mounted on one oit the upper shanks 18-u The 'tollen-'ing key representing; the key of: G on the piano key board is divided into three sections, the central or mein section controlling the type har carrying s, A and W. Vlihis section is mounted on en upstending block 1Sa carried by one of the lower shenks 18. The outer section controls the type bnr carrying c, C and 3L and is mounted on en upstanding block 18a carried by o lower shank 18, only holt as wide es the others lind countersunk in the block 18u and flush therewith. The inner section controls n type ber carrying Z, Z and l eind is mounted on one oit the upper shrinks 18.

The nent key, which may be termed the centre key ot' the key board, represents G sharp of the piano key board and is, thereit'ore, a blnck or raised key. This key is known es the spacer, is mounted on an upper shank i8 and operates the spacing mechanism ot the typewriter. This takes the pince of the usuel space ber intended for operation by the thnmb, on the ordinary typewriter.

The keys to the rightof the spacer key correspond to .the keys to the lett thereof, so as to continue the representation et the pieno key bonrd. ln other words, the rst key siter the spacer represents the key of it on the pieno key board and corresponds with the key representing G1, being, cut transversely into three sections as disclosed 'for the key representing G The central section oi" the key representingl A on the pieno key bonrd controls the type ber carrying e, lil end 3 The outer section contro s the type bor carrying t, T enc The inner section controls the type ber carryine` p, P and (l.

rifhe nent key represents A sharp end is divided transversely into two sections. The outer section controls the type bnr carrying 0, ent S The inner section controls the type ber carrying g3 Gr end This key representing A sharp corresponds with the key representing F sharp.

rl.`he following; key represents E ot the pieno lny board end is divided into 'three s'flectioi The mein or control section contoe tj-:pe ber carrying r, l sind iii. he enter section controls s. type ber Gerry ing' .s, S ont ,tt. The inner section controls the type bnr carrying,I 51, X and l/A, This key representing B ot the pieno key board, is just the reverse from the key representingv ll of the pieno bosrd.

rlhe following; key representing C oi the pieno key board is divided into two sections and is the reverse ofthe key representing E on the other side of the spacer key. This upper C key is divided into two sections with its outer or mein section controlling` the type ber cerrying 11, N init The short inner section controls the type ber cnrrying b, B en( The nent key representing` C sharp, controls the type ber cnr ying' 11, U and 7,

The 'following key reoresentinnf E, con trois the type ber ceri-ying` w, Vil end M2. T he key corresponds with the D key to the lett ot the spacer key.

The key representing the next D sharp controls the type ber carrying;l k, K and All of the ioni' blnck raised keys representing' C sharp :ind D sharp on oppoe site sides of the spacer key ere oit vcorrespending` ehr-.pe and mounted on upper shrinks 1S,

The lest key oit the key board represents upper E oft the pinne key boord and cone trols the type ber carrying` i end the second to be used when writing;l capitals.

lt is nipperent the difterent keys end their sections must be suitably mounted en the n oper end lower shenks 18 to bring,- the keys c ose together, liiiounting ot the keys to the right ot the spacer key corresponds with niountingl off the similar keys to the lett of the spacer key. Further detail description of such mounting` is believed to be unnecesssry. Attention may be directed to the tact, et this time, however, that every key on this tiet key board, with the exception o'l' the spacer key controls n type bei' hevinp,` three characters thereon, as provided in the con-- struction oit the portable typewriter. shittingv ot' the cnrriegie to the three different posit-ions for the dillerent characters on the type bers is not ecconiplished by the keys of the fist key hoard, however, but by special shittingv ineens which will now be described.

l'rojectinggl througjh the iront oit the freine l0, ere a. pnir oi rods Z8 which ere rotatable in suitable bearings 29 end carry sleeves 30 having connected theii'ewitli the flexible conneoting members 3l. depending from the type ber operatingl levers i6 heviilp)` mounted thereon the shift l-:ey l? oii the upper-.key board. Depending levers nre ediustebly carried onv the outer end olf the rods 2S end retained in edjl'isted position by scc screws 83 or other suitable ineens. rthe depending levers 82 are edspted to be operated or forced outwardly by the knees et the operotor to ectuete 'the iftine;

, "..iechnnisin t typewriter for ming the upper or ce,

The

letters or the third set of characters on the type bars. This should be clearly apparent by referring to the drawings.

Special mechanism is provided for operating the line spacing mechanism and returnine the carriage without the necessity of the operator taking the hands off of the lower flat key board. lhis'mechanisin includes a line spacing bar 34 extending across the front of the frame l0, along the outer ends of the white keys 13 of the lower fiat key board. The bar 34 has its ends mounted on the forwardly projecting ends of the side levers 35, located on the outer sides of the frame l0 and having their bifurcated rear ends 36 pivoted on the supporting'rod 37 which extends transversely through the lower rear corners of frame l0, Above the forward portions of one of the levers 35, is a fixed block 38, to which is pivoted the forward end of the lever 89 by a suitable pivot member 4G. rlhe levers 35 are inclined forwardly, while the lever 39 is inclined rearwardly and connected intermediate its ends with the lever beneath the same, by a link 4l. The levers 35 and 39 are resiliently retained in their normal or uppermost positions by a spring 42 having its lower end pivoted to one of thelevers 39, while the upper end is mounted on the upper arm 43 on this side of the machine. The arms 43 are carried on the ends of a shaft 44 which is rotatable through the upper forward corner of the main part of the frame 10. The arms 43 are directed forwardly and slightly inclined and have pivoted to their outer ends the upper extremities of the connecting rods 45, the lower ends of which are pivoted to the levers 35, preferably forwardly of the links 4l. llpstanding bearings 46 are carried on the rear end of the lever 39 with a pulley 4T mounted therein. Y

The cable 48 extends around the pulley 47 and has one end fixed to the angular' bracket 49 carried on the frame 11, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The cable 48 extends freely through the upwardly inclined line spacing lever 50, on the carriage 51. A knob 52 is carried on the cable 48 for operating the line spacing lever 50, as will be later clearly understood. The cable 48, after extending across the carriage 5l, passes around a pulley 53 rotatably mounted on a shaft 54 projecting from the upstanding end 55 of the bracket 56, which latter is secured to one end of the typewriter carriage bed frame formed by the upper part of the main frame 11 and extended outwardly from the same. A depending bracket arm 57 is carried by the bracket 56 and a swinging arm 58 is pivoted at its lower end to the lower end of the depending bracket arm 57. l A pulley 59 is rotatably mounted in the upper end of the swinging arm 58 and the cable 48, after extending around the pulley 53,V passes around the pulley 59, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. The cable is then turned back and fastenedby its end to the upstanding arm 55 of the bracket 56, beneath the pulley 53. The swinging arm 58 is resiliently retained in one ofits'extreme positions (leaning toward the typewriter frame l1 and carriage 5l) by means of the spring 60 having one end attached to the swinging arm 58 and its other arm attached tothe typewriter frame l1. In order to yassure proper operation and guiding of the cable 48, a guide pulley 6l ismounted in an upstanding bracket 62 on the end of the typewriter frame ll on which the lever 39 is positioned, the cable 48 passing around the guide pulley 6l and then downwardly andaround the pulley 47. The angular bracket 49 is shown in Fig. 2 as being carried on the bracket 62.

By referring to Figs. l to 3 inclusive, it will be clearly seen that, as the carriage 51 moves across the frame l1, during operation of the typewriter, the line spacing lever 50 slides on the cable 48 until it engages the knob 52, at the end of the movement of the carriage 5l, the swingingariii 58 remaining in its normal position, shown by full lines in Fig. VJhen the bar 34 is operated, however to actuate the lever 39 and pull the latter downwardly, the cable 48 is operated by the pulley 4T. This results in pulling the cable 48 over the carriage 51 and swinging the swinging arm 58 to its other extreme.

position, against the tension of the spring 60, as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 3. This results in the knob 52 operating the line spacing lever 50 and returning the carriage 5l to its initial position. Therefore, the operation of the line spacing mechanism and the carriage returning mechanism are performed by simply pressing the bar 34 downwardly with the thumb of either hand, without raising the hand from the flat key board. After the bar 34 is released, the spring 60 will act to automatically return the swinging arm 58 to its normal position.

rlhe Vspring 42 will also act to raise the levers 35 and bar 34 to their normal positions. The arms 43 and bars 45 serve to assure uniform movement of the levers 35 on the opposite sides of the machine, at all times.

The back spacer and marginal releasing mechanisms of the typewriter are operated by depending levers 63 which are adjustably carried on the outer ends of the rods 64 located at opposite sides of the machine and rotatable in suitable brackets 65 preferably carried on the inner face of the side members of the frame 10, as indicated in Figure 2. The rods 64 are located in planes above the rods 28 carrying the levers 32 and the depending levers 63' are located at the sides of the flat key board and slightly above the saine, so as to be operated by press` ing outwardly against the depending levers o23 with the hands, without the neceSSity of raising 'the hands from the proper position for operation on the Vdat key board. The rods (Si are shown as being connected by flexible connections {Si} with the respective levers lli ttor operating back spacer and marginal releasii mechan isms carrying appropr-lately marked keys i7 arranged in the upper key board. it apparent that, when the upper key board is dispensed with and the lower dat key board only employed, the rods (ill may have more direct connection with the respective n'ieohanisms operated thereby. y

ltis believed the complete construction and operation, as well as the advantage of the improved fiat key board and the associated parts will now be clear from the 'foie going paragraphs, taken in connection with the aecoin'isnying drawings, without further detail descVV ption. lt may bc briefly stated, however, that considerable speed may be attained by the operator, owing to the 'fact that the hands need never be raised troni the key board or moved up and down, during use oft the machine, except when the hands are confipletely removed for replacing-the paper in the machine. The operation of 'typing on the new i'lat key board is substantially the same as the operation ot playing the piano. Furthermore the keys are close together and all ot them are of elongated iform, thereby doing away with the spaces between the keys and around the same, as in the ordinary key board structure for typewriters. The keys are 'form-ed and mounted in such a manner that those required. for most tretpaent use may be readily operated by the iirst and second lingers ot the hands, while the other keys are in a position :tor easy operation by the other lingers and the thumbs. The dat key board may be readily incorporated in typewriters now in general use with very little additional expense and, as shown and described, is arranged particularly for portable typewriters. it is not necessary that the letters and other characters appear on the keys et the dat key board and, therefore such characters are only shown in the views disclosing the keys in order that the invention may be readily understood from the drawings and description. The operation oi' the spa er key may be readily performed by the vfirst linger ot either hand. Furthermore, the levers may be readily operated by the knees to actuate the shift keys, without the necessity oi' lifting the hands from the flat key board. rThe levers 63 may also be readily operated by an outward movement of the hands troni the fiat key board for operating the back spacing and marginal releasing mechanisms. All of the parts are o'l' simple construction, arrangement and operation and may be readw ily assembled.

It is apparent that, if desired, the usual torni of key board may be dispensed with and the improved ilat key board substituted therefor, when building up new typewriters. .ihis would naturali i inean that the shanks 18 would 'form continuations ot or replace the type bar operating levers 16, as shown in the drawings and the entire machine would be of compact construction.

'liihile the preferred embodiment et the invention has been disclosed.y it is to be understood that minor changes in the details ot construction, combination and arrangement of co-operating elements may be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lWhat l claim as new is:

l. 'llhe combination with a typewriter embodying a keyboard, type bars, type bar operating levers and a platen. carriage, ot an auiiliary flat keyboard including black and white keys corresponding with a section o'i a piano keyboard, with certain individual. keys arranged one behind the other; Yflexible connections between said tj-,fpewriter type bar operating levers and said lkeys of said auxiliary keyboard; a

Aar extending across the iront o'l' said y keyboard; and means connecting s" n ii ser aar and platen carriage to re- Y o turn the latter troni extended position, upon depression of said finger bar.

2. The combination with a typewriter embodying a keyboard, type bars, vtype bar operating levers, platen carriage and platen carriage line spacing means, et an auxiliary Vilat keyboard including black and white keys corresponding with a section or a piano keyboard, with certain individual keys arranged one behind the other; iienible connections between said typewriter type bar operating levers and said'keys of said auniliary keyboard; a finger bar extending across the iront of said auxiliary keyboard; and means co-operating the saine with said platen carriage and platen carriage line spacing means whereby said platen carriage may be returned from its extended position and adjusted by said line spacing means upon. depression of said linger bar.

3. ylhe combination with a typewriter embodying a keyboard, type bars, type bar operating levers and back spacing and man ginal releasing mechanism; ot an auxiliary ilat keyboard including black and white keys corresponding with a section o'f a piano keyboard, with certain individual keys arranged one behind the other; i'ieXible connections between said typewriter type bar operating levers and said auxiliary keyboard; and back spacing and marginal release mechanism operating means extending beneath said typewriter keyboard and over said auxiliary keyboard at the sides thereof iso` flexibly connected to said vtypewriter back spacing and marginal releasemechanism.

A typewriter including a carriage; type bars; a flat key board including keys representing the black and white keys of a section of the piano key board with certain individual keys arranged one behind the another; upper and lower shanks for said keys; carriage shifting means; operating levers depending from the front of the machine and 'adapted to be actuated by the knees of the operator to control the carriage shifting` mechanism; line spacing and carriage returning mechanism including a cable and guide pulley for the same; levers for actuating said cable; a bar extended across said levers at the front of the machine and adapted to be operated by the thumb of the operator without the necessity of removing the hands from the flat key board; means for `normally retaining the levers in inoperative positionand assuring uniform operation of said levers; and means for returning the Cable to normal position after return of the carriage and relieving or the pressure on the bar coniecting said levers. n

v5. A typewriter including the combination with the regular key board, type bar operating levers; type bars, a. carriage, cari'iage operating means and carriage shifting means for presenting the latter to the different type on the several type bars; of a flat key board composed of elongated keys corresponding to a section of a piano key board and cut transversely in sections into separate keys; pivoted slianks supporting saidkeys; operative connections between said shanks and the type bar operating levers ol the corresponding keys of the reg- -fular key board; spacing means for said shaiiks; movement limiting means for said Shanks; the flat key board including a spacer key connected withtlie spacing mechanism of the typewriter; a frame for supporting and enclosing the sides of said fiat key board;

members operable by the knees of the operator to control the carriage shifting means; line spacing and carriage returning means; a bar extending across the front of the fiat key board ior controlling the line spacing and carriage returning means; opei'ative connections between said bar and said line spacing and carriage returning means; means to return the bar and its connections to normal position ai'ter operation ot the line spacing and carriage returning means; and means for normally retaining the line spacing and carriage returning means in unopeiated position.

G. A typewriter structure including a flat key board similar to thekey board of a piano; type' bars; pivoted shanks for the keys Vot the iiat key board; operative connections between said pivoted Shanks and the type bars; a carriage and carriage shifting mechanism; the bar for operating said carriage shifting mechanism extending across the front oi the flat key boardvand outwardly of the same; a shitting mechanism or changing from one set ot' type to another set on the type bars; pivoted levers for the said carriage shifting mechanism adaptedto be operated by the hands of the operator; back spacing and marginal releasing mechanism; and depending operating levers for said back spacing and marginal releasing mechanisms arranged at the sides of the flat keyboard for operation by outward movement of the hands of the operator irom the flat key board.

lnV testimony whereof; I aliX my signature.

' yE'WART I. GALE. 

